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New Nexus 7 with LTE now available for purchase from Google Play in Canada, UK, France and more
Live outside of the Sates and eagerly awaiting a LTE-enabled Nexus 7? Well, Google has just obliged by making the 7-inch slate available in a handful of locales through its Play Store. The 4G tablet is now for sale to willing customers in Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Japan and Korea. In the US, a lone 32GB option that's compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks is available for $349. Those itching to part with their funds can do so via the source link below.
iOS 7 arrives on Apple devices September 18th
The wait is over. Apple's overhauled OS will be available for download on qualifying devices next week. Control Center, retooled notifications, redesigned calendar and improved Siri functionality alongside numerous other tweaks and thinner typography will soon be a mere download away. In order to take advantage of the update, you'll need an iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or fifth-generation iPod touch. As always, this is a free download for device owners which means that grouping photos by moments and iTunes Radio are set to arrive in just over a week. Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 'Special Event' 2013 event hub!
Xbox One game console available on November 22nd
Ready to make a date with a next-gen console? Microsoft's Xbox One goes up for sale on November 22nd, Redmond officially announced this morning. By way of a reminder, the PlayStation 4 will also land in the same month: November 15th for US customers -- just in case you can afford to two-time it. If not, well, we all get to witness the assuredly bloody fight for our hard-earned cash come this holiday. The Xbox One launches in 13 territories initially (UK, Ireland, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, US, CAN, MEX, BRA, AUS, NZ) and costs $499 /€499 / £429 -- Microsoft's calling it a "global" launch, though the list was cut down considerably from initial plans. "Many more markets" will see the console arrive in 2014, a note from Microsoft spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb says. The aforementioned territories list notably excludes Japan, a territory traditionally important in the video game market. The console is also in "full production" in its charge toward homes everywhere, and Microsoft made one last internal tweak before sending it out: a 10 percent clock speed increase (from 1.6GHZ to 1.75GHZ). "It means that the processing power to make those games that we've been showing off at Gamescom that already look great will look even better," corporate marketing VP Yusuf Mehdi said in a video announcing today's news (find it just below the break). When Xbox One arrives at retail this November, the $500 package includes the console itself, a new wireless gamepad, the new Kinect, a headset, and various cables for attaching it to your favorite television. Limited editions of a special "Day One" version of the console are also available, which include an insignia on the controller and an exclusive Achievement. Microsoft is apparently making an extra set available starting today, should you still be on the hunt.
12GB PlayStation 3 now available at Sony's US online store for $200
After some observant readers spotted it at Walmart and Future Shop in Canada, Sony's flash-based 12GB PlayStation 3 has turned up at its US online store. Originally slated for Europe and Hong Kong only, Sony decided to release the memory-challenged device stateside with virtually zero fanfare. It's now listed there for $200, as well as at the above retailers and possibly others -- though we're not really sure, because again, no fanfare. If you'd like to save 70 bucks over the 500GB version and skip all the spinning parts, hit the source
Xbox One coming to 13 markets at launch, not 21 as originally planned
It looks like the Xbox One won't be as widely available at launch as originally planned. Citing a need to meet demand, Microsoft said today that its new console will be available in 13 countries at launch, instead of the 21 initially promised. Instead, the remaining eight markets will get it sometime in 2014. All told, those 13 lucky countries include: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand. The other eight -- Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland -- will still sell it eventually, but for now Microsoft isn't committing to a firm launch date. For now, all we know is that it's promised to arrive "as soon as possible next year." As a "show of appreciation for your patience," to use Microsoft's words, people who placed pre-orders in those eight cut-off countries will receive a free game. Feeling consoled, guys?
SYNC by 50 wireless speaker hits SMS Audio's store with $200 price tag
SMS Audio, the brainchild of Curtis "50 cent" Jackson, may be known for its pricey headphones, but the company is broadening its horizons with its first portable speaker, which you can now purchase for the not-so-humble price of $200. The SYNC by 50 wireless speaker boasts Bluetooth functionality, NFC capability and omni-directional sound due to its rounded design. Additionally, the SYNC comes equipped with 50mm tuned drivers, a 3.5mm headphone jack and five EQ settings to fiddle with. If you've always had your heart set on a Fiddy-branded speaker, you can find it in "shadow black" (as opposed to plain ol' black) on SMS Audio's website, linked below. For more info, check out the full press release after the break.
New Nexus 7 up for pre-order at UK retailers, but not expected until mid September
Those who observed yesterday's Nexus 7 shenanigans from across the Atlantic may well be wondering when it'd all become relevant to them, and it seems we have the first hint of an answer. Currys and PC World now have active pre-order pages for the Google tablet, with the 16GB version priced at £199.99 and the 32GB variant at £239.99, and with an availability date of September 13th. It's possible that this time window could change, of course, but it still sounds like quite a wait.
Lytro's selective focus camera finally coming to the UK starting at £399 (updated)
Assuming you haven't given up on the idea, you'll soon be able to buy a Lytro light field camera in the UK -- even though it's been on US shelves since early last year. To remind you, it works by combining a fixed f/2.0, 8x optical zoom lens with an 11-"megaray" sensor to create a layered 1,080 x 1,080 "living picture," in which the focus can be changed later by viewers. For those who waited all this time, there is a consolation: Lytro recently enabled the camera's WiFi chip, allowing you to see images on any iOS device via a companion app. The 8GB model in graphite, electric blue, seaglass or moxie pink will run £399, while a 16GB offering in "red hot" will be priced at £469. You can grab one after July 22nd at Dixons Travel, Harrods or John Lewis -- to see how it works, check a sample image after the break. Update: Lytro has just informed us that the "seaglass" color isn't available in the UK yet, so adjust your matching fashion plans accordingly.
Galaxy S4 Active hits UK shops starting at £495 contract-free
The water-loving Active version of Samsung's flagship phone is now up for grabs in the UK, sim-free. Unlocked Mobiles has the ruggedized GS4 listed at £495, while Carphone Warehouse has it stocked at £530, comparable sums to the Galaxy S 4 when it launched. As you may remember, the model brings waterproof sealing to stock Galaxy S 4 internals (5-inch 1,080 x 1,920 screen, quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and LTE capability), while settling for a lesser 8-megapixel camera. Still, you'll be able to bring those megapixels to an underwater environment most Samsung models would shun. So, while you could save yourself a few pounds by going with the standard issue Galaxy, dropping a few extra quid a the source will mean when you get tossed in the pool at your next BBQ you'll only lose your dignity, not your phone.
Gigabyte reveals prices, availability for NVIDIA-equipped U-Series Haswell notebooks
Since not everybody wants to lug an eight pound gaming machine or settle for a lightweight but graphics-challenged notebook, Gigabyte unveiled its U-series at Computex: two notebooks and an ultrabook with discreet NVIDIA graphics and 4th-generation Intel CPUs. The models build on the company's last-gen 14-inch U2442 Ultrabook, which unlike most models in that category, carried GeForce GT640M graphics and a generous supply of ports while still maintaining a respectable 3.3 pound heft. Gigabyte's looking to continue in that vein with the new models, which will all arrive by early August. To see a breakdown on all the pricing and specs, head after the break. %Gallery-190389% %Gallery-190388%
Sony Xperia Tablet Z now up for pre-order, scheduled to ship May 24th (video)
If you've been waiting for the least burdensome tablet you could find, Sony's 17.5 ounce, 6.9mm thick Xperia Tablet Z is now up for pre-order in the US. On top of being the lightest, slimmest 10-inch slate on the market, it's not exactly slumming spec-wise either: there's a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 2GB RAM, an 8.1-megapixel Exmor R camera, NFC, LTE, S-Force virtual surround sound, 32GB storage and a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 tech. To round it off, the tab is dust- and water-resistant, and Sony's pre-loaded its TV SideView app, which uses the built-in IR to let you change your TV's channel and get scheduling, recommendations, voice search and IMDB-like info. The downside? We noted that the ambitiously thin design made the device a bit bendy and creaky. You can pre-order at the source ($500 for the 32GB model and $600 for 64GB), or check the video after the break to see how a three-legged dog might use the slate while taking a bath. No, you didn't just misread that.
China to get first official taste of Surface Pro outside of North America
Microsoft's Surface Pro will mark its first venture outside the cozy confines of the Americas by heading to China on April 2nd, according to its Weibo site. That could also mean that lovers of the convertible tablet in Australia, parts of Europe and elsewhere might also be able to grab one soon -- as Redmond indicated earlier that it would roll out in those countries around the same time. There's no word yet on pricing or where to get one, but Microsoft recently launched its flagship Chinese store on Tmall, so that would be a good place for shoppers there to start -- assuming they're interested.
Chromebooks from Acer, HP and Samsung heading to six new countries
If Chromebooks from Acer, HP and Samsung have struck your fancy but haven't been available in your country, your fortune might have just changed. Google's proclaimed that Chrome OS laptops from the trio will see begin rolling out to folks in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Not only is Mountain View expanding its laptop initiative's international horizons, but it's bringing them to more than 1,000 Best Buy stores too, roughly 500 more than previously carried them. Ready to snatch one of the notebooks? Hit the source links to get crackin'.
Surface RT coming to six more countries in late March, Pro in the 'coming months'
Microsoft's Surface is continuing its global retail rollout, expanding its reach well beyond the western hemisphere. In late March the RT model of Redmond's in-house tablet effort will begin popping up in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan, (though, not necessarily at the same time) adding to the pile of European nations where it's already launched. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro will finally be leaving the Americas and heading for Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the UK sometime in the coming months. Unfortunately Microsoft isn't getting any more specific about when its full-blown Windows 8 machine will appear in countries other than the US and Canada. All we can do now is await the promised follow up post on the Surface blog for more details about availability. If you're a fan of press materials (even those that don't provide a ton of information) you'll find some after the break.
Microsoft starts shipping Surface Pro again, says more coming to market 'quickly'
Microsoft's trying to address the recent shortfall of Surface Pro models, and has vowed via its Surface Pro blog to get more into the market "as quickly as we can." As such, it's begun dispatching 64GB SKUs to Best Buy, Staples and its own Microsoft Store in the US, with Canada to follow in a few days. 128GB SKUs will ship "later this week" to retailers, according to Redmond, "with some units available by the end of the week." All flavors of the tablet-cum-laptop disappeared from shelves shortly after they arrived in retail stores and online, both stateside and north of the border. The company said it'll fulfill orders for customers who made a reservation first, but that your local retailer "should have (stock) soon," too.
Ubuntu smartphones set for October launch in two markets
Sure, Ubuntu for smartphones is slated to appear as a downloadable image for the Galaxy Nexus late this month, but you'll have to wait until fall to get your hands on honest-to-goodness Ubuntu phone hardware. According to the Wall Street Journal, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth says Ubuntu handsets will hit two "large geographic markets" in October, and that the open source OS has struck the fancy of carriers, to boot. However, Shuttleworth remained coy regarding which regions will see the devices launch in October and which manufacturers will be serving up hardware.
PSA: Get your 128GB iPads starting today, $799 for WiFi and $929 for LTE
If you like the very best, you'll be happy to hear that the biggest capacity, most expensive iPad yet has now landed at the Apple Store online. US customers can pick from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon to power their 128GB LTE model ($929), although AT&T has a reduced waiting time of 1-3 days, compared to 3-5 business days for the other two carriers. Expect the WiFi iteration ($799) to arrive within three days -- that is, if you place your order at the source today.
BlackBerry 10 arrives Feb 5th in Canada, tomorrow in the UK, US carriers revealed
If you like what you've seen so far from RIM BlackBerry's big launch event today, then you might want to know when you can get it. Those in the US might have hoped the rumors weren't true, but indeed, you will have to wait until March before you can get your hands on BlackBerry 10. Though when it does land, customers of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint (only Q10 confirmed) and T-Mobile (Z10 confirmed) will all be able to get onboard. BlackBerry's giving its home turf a little bit of a head start with a February 5th release date and Bell, Rogers, Koodo, Telus and Virgin Mobile confirmed as carrying. But -- as had already been hinted at -- it's the UK that gets the goods first, with the Z10 and Q10 both available starting tomorrow on all the major carriers. US pricing will depend on each operator, but expect to pay around $200.
Microsoft Surface Pro on sale February 9th in the US and Canada, starts at $899
So it won't arrive in January as originally planned, but better a little late than never, right? Microsoft just announced that its Surface Pro tablet will go on sale February 9th in the US and Canada, with wide retail availability beyond just Microsoft.com and Microsoft Stores. As you may have already read, the device will start at $899 for the 64GB model, and $999 for the 128GB version. Whichever you choose, a pressure-sensitive pen comes in the box; the keyboard does not (that'll be $120 or $130, depending on whether you get the Touch or Type Cover). Also on February 9th, Microsoft is going to start offering a 64GB standalone version of Surface for Windows RT for $599 (the 64GB model is currently sold as part of a $699 bundle with the black Touch Cover). That's good news, we suppose, for folks who prefer the tactile feel of the Type keyboard. Or, you know, who have their heart set on cyan. Additionally, Surface RT will soon be available in 13 more markets: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. All told, that more than doubles the number of a countries where the Surface RT is sold. So, Western Europe should pretty much be set now. Finally, in addition to those two tablets, Microsoft is introducing a bunch of accessories, also slated to land February 9th. These include three limited edition Touch Covers with funky patterns drawn on (we don't know about you, but we especially dig the skulls). It's not unlike the way Microsoft already sells artsy versions of its computer mice; indeed, a Microsoft rep told us the company intends to release even more special editions, the same way it keeps swapping in new mouse colors. Finally, Microsoft also announced the Wedge Touch Mouse Surface Edition, which is basically the regular Wedge mouse, just done up in the same finish as the Surface tablets. That will cost $70, while the limited edition keyboards are priced at $130 a pop. Hopefully we'll be hitting you back soon with a full review but for now, we've got shots of both the tablet and the new accessories waiting just past the break.
Leap Motion goes retail: motion controller to be sold exclusively at Best Buy
Ever since we first saw Leap Motion's hyper-accurate gesture control system in person, we've been waiting for the time when we can walk into a store and buy one. Sure, devs have been able to buy Leap controllers for some time and it won't be long before Leap's tech is baked into retail laptops, but now the general public's going to get the chance to grab the standalone controller, too. That's right, folks, this spring, the Leap Motion Controller will be available nationwide at any Best Buy store, with pre-orders starting in February. So, it won't be long before you can stroll on down to the nearest big blue box and pick one up -- assuming there's still one within strolling (or driving) distance.
